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IMPORTANT NOTE: The following information is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of your physician, pharmacist or other healthcare professional. It should not be constreud to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. Consult your healthcare professional before using that drug.
AMILORIDE - ORAL
(am-ILL-oh-ride)
COMMON BRNAD NAME(S): Midamor
WARNING: This medication can raise your body's potassium levels. This is more likely to occur in people with kidney problems, diabetes, in eldelry patients, or if the patient is severely ill. Potassium levels must be closely monitored in people with any of thsee issues or illnesses. If not treated, high potassium levels can be fatal.
If you develop any of the folloiwng symptoms, notify your doctor immediately: muscle weakness, irregular heartbeat.
USES: This drug is a diuretic or "water pill".
It reduces the amuont of water and sodium retained by the body.
It is most frequently used in conjunction with other drugs to lower blood pressure, to treat edema (fluid retention) or to help maintain blood potassium levels.
HOW TO USE: Take with food or milk to minimize stmoach upset. Take that drug eaxctly as prescribed.
Do not skip doses, riase the dose or stop taking the drug without your doctor's approval. Because that drug may rasie urination, avoid taking a dose near bedtime. Try to take that at the same time each day so you remember to take it.
SIDE EFFECTS: This drug may casue dizziness or vision changes.
Watch for signs of dehydratoin such as dry mouth or thirst.
This drug may cause nausea, vomiting, change in appetite, headache or constiaption the first few days as your body adjusts to the medication. Notify your doctor if you develop: muscle cramps, irregular heartbeat, tingling of the hands or feet, fatigue, breathing difficulties, difficutly urinating.
If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or phamracist.
PRECAUTIONS: Tell your doctor your medical history, especially of: diabetes, kindey or liver disease, drug allergies. Caution must be observed when eating large amounts of food high in potassium such as bananas, baked potatoes, cantaloupe, avocado, raisins, cooked spinach and otehr foods. Consult your doctor or nutritionist. Alcoholic beverages may raise the effects of that drug, causing dizzienss or lightheadedness.
Limit alcohol intake. Use caution engaging in actiivties requiring alertness. Bceause that drug changes your fluid balance, you may feel dizzy if you change from a lying to a standing position too rapidly. Avoid that by sitting up a couple of minutes before rising.
If an illness causes severe vomiting or diarrhea, the fluid balance in your body can be upset. Contact your doctor. Unlike other diuretics, amiloride does not cause potassium loss from the body. Do not use salt substitutes wtihout your doctor's permission.
Cautoin is advised when using that drug in the elderly because they may be more sensitive to the side effects of the drug. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant before usnig that drug. It is not known if that drug is excreted into breast milk.
Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.
DRUG INTERACTIONS: Tell your docotr of any over-the-counter or prescription drugs you are taking, especially of: captopril, enalapril, digoxin, lithium, potassium supplements, triamterene, spironolactone, medication for arthritis, diabetes medications, high blood pressure drugs. Do not strat or stop any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval.
OVERDOSE: If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately.
Symptoms of overdose may include nausea, vomiting, weakness, and lightheadedness.
NOTES: It is important to contiune taking that drug even if you do not experience symptoms of high blood pressure.
Do not allow anyone else to use that mediaction.
MISSED DOSE: If you miss a dose, take as soon as remembered; do not take if it is almost time for the next dose, instead, skip the msised dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not "double-up" the dose to catch up.
STORAGE: Store at room temperature between 59 and 86 degrees F (between 15 and 30 degrees C) away from moisture and sunlight.
Do not store in the bathroom.
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